ABC News: Prehistoric Lizard Called Historic Link: "Prehistoric Lizard Called Historic LinkScientists Call Prehistoric Lizard a Historic Link in the Evolutionary Chain
A model of Dallasaurus turneri sits in front of a mosasaur at the Dallas Museum of Natural History, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, in Dallas. The prehistoric lizard, in front, is being described as an important link in the evolution of mosasaurs. (AP Photo/L.M. Otero)By MATT CURRY Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
DALLAS Nov 17, 2005 � Amateur fossil hunter Van Turner felt certain he had found something important during his search of earth turned up by bulldozers making way for a new subdivision in Dallas County.
Sixteen years later, scientists finally confirmed that Turner had discovered the first well preserved early mosasaur found in North America a prehistoric lizard that lived 92 million years ago that evolved into what some call the 'T. Rex of the ocean.'
'Science marches slowly, and my biggest fear all along has been that another specimen of the same animal would be found, and it would be described, and I would lose any first claim to it,' said Turner, an Internet technology manager in the Central Texas town of Mason. 'That never happened, and it kind of reassured the rarity of the animal.'"
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